U.S. patent application number 14/288181 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for sound acquisition and analysis systems, devices and components for magnetic hearing aids.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sophono, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sophono, Inc.. Invention is credited to Markus C. Haller, Nicholas F. Pergola, Peter Ruppersberg, Todd C. Wyant.
Application Number | 20140275736 14/288181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51530259 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140275736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruppersberg; Peter ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
Sound Acquisition and Analysis Systems, Devices and Components for
Magnetic Hearing Aids
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments of components and devices in a
sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid that include a
sound acquisition device. In one embodiment, the sound acquisition
device is configured to be positioned between a magnetic spacer and
a magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic
spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated
by an EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound
sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the
sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the
patient's skull or a test fixture.
Inventors: |
Ruppersberg; Peter; (Blonay,
CH) ; Haller; Markus C.; (Nyon, CH) ; Wyant;
Todd C.; (Louisville, CO) ; Pergola; Nicholas F.;
(Arvada, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sophono, Inc. |
Boulder |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sophono, Inc.
Boulder
CO
|
Family ID: |
51530259 |
Appl. No.: |
14/288181 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13550581 |
Jul 16, 2012 |
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14288181 |
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13650026 |
Oct 11, 2012 |
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13550581 |
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13650057 |
Oct 11, 2012 |
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13650026 |
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13650080 |
Oct 11, 2012 |
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13650057 |
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13649934 |
Oct 11, 2012 |
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13650080 |
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13256571 |
Dec 9, 2011 |
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13649934 |
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13804420 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
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13256571 |
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13793218 |
Mar 11, 2013 |
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13804420 |
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61970336 |
Mar 25, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 2460/13 20130101;
H04R 25/70 20130101; H04R 25/60 20130101; H04R 3/002 20130101; H04R
25/606 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/25 |
International
Class: |
H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00 |
Claims
1. A sound acquisition system for a magnetic hearing aid,
comprising: an electromagnetic ("EM") transducer disposed in a
housing; a magnetic spacer operably coupled to the EM transducer
and comprising at least a first magnetic member, the EM transducer,
the housing and magnetic spacer forming external portions of the
magnetic hearing aid; a magnetic implant configured for placement
beneath a patient's skin and adjacent to or in a patient's skull,
the magnetic implant comprising at least a second magnetic member,
the magnetic spacer and magnetic implant together being configured
such that the first and second magnetic members are capable of
holding the magnetic hearing aid in position on the patient's skull
over at least portions of the implanted magnetic implant, and a
sound acquisition device configured to be positioned between the
magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, and to be magnetically
coupled to the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that
sound signals generated by the EM transducer in the hearing aid may
be acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound
acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound
acquisition device into the patient's skull.
2. The sound acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the sound
measurement device further comprises at least third and fourth
magnetic members, the at least third magnetic member being
configured to couple magnetically to the magnetic spacer, the at
least fourth magnetic member being configured to couple
magnetically to the magnetic spacer, the at least third and fourth
magnetic members further being configured to magnetically couple to
one another.
3. The sound acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic
sensor of the sound measurement device is a piezoelectric
sensor.
4. The sound acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the sound
measurement device further comprises upper and lower portions, the
upper portion comprising the at least third magnetic member, the
lower portion comprising the at least fourth magnetic member.
5. The sound acquisition system of claim 4, wherein the acoustic
sensor is a piezoelectric sensor, and the piezoelectric sensor is
operably positioned between the upper and lower portions of the
sound measurement device.
6. The sound acquisition system of claim 5, wherein at least one of
the upper and lower portions of the sound measurement device
comprises a curved acoustic sensor bending surface configured to
bend a first surface of the piezoelectric sensor along a curved
surface defined by the acoustic sensor bending surface, and the
other of the at least one upper and lower portions comprises at
least one support or post configured to engage a second surface of
the piezoelectric sensor and hold the piezoelectric sensor in
position against the curved sensor bending surface, the second
surface opposing the first surface.
7. The sound acquisition system of claim 5, wherein the curved
acoustic surface has a radius ranging between about 6 inches and
about 8 inches.
8. The sound acquisition system of claim 5, wherein the
piezoelectric sensor is disk-shaped and has a diameter ranging
between about 0.4 inches and about 1 inch.
9. The sound acquisition system of claim 5, wherein the
piezoelectric sensor has a thickness ranging between about 0.2 mm
and about 0.8 mm.
10. The sound acquisition system of claim 1, wherein the system
further comprises computer or analyzing means operably connected to
the sound measurement device and configured to receive and process
signals generated by the acoustic sensor.
11. The sound acquisition system of claim 10, wherein the computer
or analyzing means further comprises means for generating
electrical signals to drive the EM transducer in the hearing
aid.
12. The sound acquisition system of claim 11, wherein the drive
signals generated by the computer or analyzing means are provided
to the hearing aid and the EM transducer by one of wireless signals
and by a computer or signal cable operably connected to the
computer means and to a port on the hearing aid.
13. The sound acquisition system of claim 10, wherein the computer
or analyzing means further comprises means for adjusting the output
or response of the hearing aid and the EM transducer.
14. The sound acquisition system of claim 13, wherein the output or
response adjustment includes at least one of adjusting or
calibrating the amplitude, frequency, and phase response of the
hearing aid to ambient acoustic signals detected thereby.
15. The sound acquisition system of claim 10, wherein the computer
or analyzing means further comprises one of a mobile electronic
device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and
a notebook computer.
16. The sound acquisition system of claim 10, wherein the system
further comprises a mobile electronic device or mobile phone
operably connected or connectable to the computer or analyzing
means and configured to display information regarding at least one
of the output, response, calibration and adjustment of the hearing
aid.
17. A sound acquisition device configured for use in a sound
measurement system for a magnetic hearing aid, the system
comprising an electromagnetic ("EM") transducer disposed in a
housing, a magnetic spacer operably coupled to the EM transducer
and comprising at least a first magnetic member, the EM transducer,
the housing and magnetic spacer forming external portions of the
magnetic hearing aid, and a magnetic implant configured for
placement beneath a patient's skin and adjacent to or in a
patient's skull, the magnetic implant comprising at least a second
magnetic member, the magnetic spacer and magnetic implant together
being configured such that the first and second magnetic members
are capable of holding the magnetic hearing aid in position on the
patient's skull over at least portions of the implanted magnetic
implant, the sound acquisition device being configured to be
positioned between the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant,
and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the
magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by the EM
transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor
forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound
signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the
patient's skull.
18. The sound acquisition device of claim 17, wherein the sound
acquisition device further comprises at least third and fourth
magnetic members, the at least third magnetic member being
configured to couple magnetically to the magnetic spacer, the at
least fourth magnetic member being configured to couple
magnetically to the magnetic spacer, the at least third and fourth
magnetic members further being configured to magnetically couple to
one another.
19. The sound acquisition device of claim 17, wherein the acoustic
sensor of the sound acquisition device is a piezoelectric
sensor.
20. The sound acquisition device of claim 17, wherein the sound
acquisition device further comprises upper and lower portions, the
upper portion comprising the at least third magnetic member, the
lower portion comprising the at least fourth magnetic member.
21. The sound acquisition device of claim 20, wherein the acoustic
sensor is a piezoelectric sensor, and the piezoelectric sensor is
operably positioned between the upper and lower portions of the
sound acquisition device.
22. The sound acquisition device of claim 21, wherein at least one
of the upper and lower portions of the sound acquisition device
comprises a curved acoustic sensor bending surface configured to
bend a first surface of the piezoelectric sensor along a curved
surface defined by the acoustic sensor bending surface, and the
other of the at least one upper and lower portions comprises at
least one support or post configured to engage a second surface of
the piezoelectric sensor and hold the piezoelectric sensor in
position against the curved sensor bending surface, the second
surface opposing the first surface.
23. The sound acquisition device of claim 21, wherein the curved
acoustic surface has a radius ranging between about 6 inches and
about 8 inches.
24. The sound acquisition device of claim 21, wherein the
piezoelectric sensor is disk-shaped and has a diameter ranging
between about 0.4 inches and about 1 inch.
25. The sound acquisition device of claim 21, wherein the
piezoelectric sensor has a thickness ranging between about 0.2 mm
and about 0.8 mm.
26. The sound acquisition device of claim 17, wherein the system
further comprises computer means operably connected to the sound
acquisition device and configured to receive and process signals
generated by the acoustic sensor.
27. A method of acquiring sound signals generated by an external
magnetic hearing aid configured to be coupled to a magnetic
implant, the magnetic hearing aid comprising an electromagnetic
("EM") transducer disposed in a housing and a magnetic spacer
operably coupled to the EM transducer and comprising at least a
first magnetic member, the magnetic implant being configured for
placement beneath a patient's skin and adjacent to or in the
patient's skull, the magnetic implant comprising at least a second
magnetic member, the magnetic spacer and magnetic implant together
being configured such that the first and second magnetic members
are capable of holding the magnetic hearing aid in position on the
patient's skull over at least portions of the magnetic implant when
the magnetic implant is implanted in the patient and the magnetic
hearing aid is placed thereover, the sound acquisition device being
configured to be positioned between the magnetic spacer and the
magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic
spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated
by the EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound
sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the
sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the
patient's skull, the method comprising: (a) acquiring the sound
signals sensed by the sound sensor; (b) processing the acquired
sound signals, and (c) analyzing the sound signals.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising analyzing the sound
signals using one of a mobile electronic device, a mobile phone, a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a local
server, a remote server, and the cloud.
29. The method of claim 27, further comprising amplifying the
acquired sound signals.
30. The method of claim 27, further comprising visually displaying
results corresponding to the analyzed or processed sound
signals.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising visually displaying
the results on one of a computer monitor or display, a mobile
electronic device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, and a notebook computer.
32. The method of claim 27, further comprising generating sound
control or calibration signals and providing such sound control or
calibration signals to the magnetic hearing aid such that the EM
transducer is driven in accordance with the sound control or
calibration signals.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the sound control or
calibration signals are predetermined and stored in a mobile
electronic device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, a notebook computer, a local server, a remote server, and
the cloud.
34. The method of claim 27, wherein analyzing the amplified sound
signals further comprises at least one of determining a frequency
response of the hearing aid, determining an amplitude response of
the hearing aid, and determining a phase response of the hearing
aid.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising adjusting or
changing at least one of a frequency response, an amplitude
response, and a phase response of the hearing aid in accordance
with results provided by the analyzed sound signals.
36. The method of claim 27, further comprising acquiring the sound
signals while the hearing aid is magnetically coupled to the sound
acquisition device, and the sound acquisition device is
magnetically coupled to the magnetic implant, where the magnetic
implant is implanted in or on the patient's skull.
37. The method of claim 27, further comprising acquiring the sound
signals while the hearing aid is magnetically coupled to the sound
acquisition device, and the sound acquisition device is
magnetically coupled to the magnetic implant, where the magnetic
implant is attached to a test fixture.
38. The method of claim 27, further comprising programming or
re-programming parameters in the hearing aid in accordance with
results provided by the analyzed sound signals.
39. The method of claim 27, further comprising wirelessly
transmitting the acquired sound signals to a mobile electronic
device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a
notebook computer, a local server, a remote server, or the cloud.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims
priority and other benefits from each of the following U.S. patent
applications: (a) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/550,581
entitled "Systems, Devices, Components and Methods for Bone
Conduction Hearing Aids" to Pergola et al. filed Jul. 16, 2012
(hereafter "the '581 patent application"); (b) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/650,026 entitled "Magnetic Abutment
Systems, Devices, Components and Methods for Bone Conduction
Hearing Aids" to Kasic et al. filed on Oct. 11, 2012 (hereafter
"the '650 patent application"); (c) U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/650,057 entitled "Magnetic Spacer Systems, Devices,
Components and Methods for Bone Conduction Hearing Aids" to Kasic
et al. filed on Oct. 11, 2012 (hereafter "the '057 patent
application"); (d) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/650,080
entitled "Abutment Attachment Systems, Mechanisms, Devices,
Components and Methods for Bone Conduction Hearing Aids" to Kasic
et al. filed on Oct. 11, 2012 (hereafter "the '080 patent
application"), (e) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/649,934
entitled "Adjustable Magnetic Systems, Devices, Components and
Methods for Bone Conduction Hearing Aids" to Kasic et al. filed on
Oct. 11, 2012 (hereafter "the '934 patent application"); (f) U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/256,571 entitled "Aid for Shimming
Magnetic Discs" to Siegert filed on Dec. 9, 2011 (hereafter "the
'571 patent application"); (g) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/804,420 entitled "Adhesive Bone Conduction Hearing Device" to
Kasic et al. filed on Mar. 13, 2013 (hereafter "the '420 patent
application"), and (h) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/793,218
entitled "Cover for Magnetic Implant in a Bone Conduction Hearing
Aid System, and Corresponding Devices, Components and Methods" to
Kasic et al. filed on Mar. 11, 2013 (hereafter "the '218 patent
application"). This application also claims priority and other
benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/970,336 entitled "Systems, Devices, Components and Methods for
Magnetic Bone Conduction Hearing Aids" to Ruppersberg et al. filed
on Mar. 25, 2014. Each of the foregoing patent applications is
hereby incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective
entirety.
[0002] This application further incorporates by reference herein,
each in its respective entirety, the following U.S. patent
applications filed on even date herewith: (a) U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ entitled "Implantable Sound
Transmission Device for Magnetic Hearing Aid, And Corresponding
Systems, Devices and Components" to Ruppersberg et al. having
Attorney Docket Number P SPH 125 USORG (hereafter "the '121 patent
application"), and (b) U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______
entitled "Systems, Devices, Components and Methods for Providing
Acoustic Isolation Between Microphones and Transducers in Magnetic
Hearing Aids" to Ruppersberg et al. having Attorney Docket Number P
SPH 120 USORG (hereafter "the '120 patent application").
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various embodiments of the invention described herein relate
to the field of systems, devices, components, and methods for bone
conduction and other types of hearing aid devices.
BACKGROUND
[0004] A magnetic bone conduction hearing aid is held in position
on a patient's head by means of magnetic attraction that occurs
between magnetic members included in the hearing aid and in a
magnetic implant that has been implanted beneath the patient's skin
and affixed to the patient's skull. Acoustic signals originating
from an electromagnetic transducer located in the external hearing
aid are transmitted through the patient's skin to bone in the
vicinity of the underlying magnetic implant, and thence through the
bone to the patient's cochlea. In some patients, it may be
difficult to ascertain or determine how best to adjust the hearing
aids' performance or functional characteristics, or positioning on
the patient's skull, to optimize hearing in the patient. Patient
feedback can be valuable in such a process of optimization, but may
also be ambiguous, uncertain or misleading.
[0005] What is needed is a magnetic hearing aid system that somehow
provides an improved ability to monitor or determine what the
patient is actually hearing, or what the characteristics of the
sound signals being generated by the hearing aid actually are.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, there is provided a sound acquisition
system for a magnetic hearing aid comprising an electromagnetic
("EM") transducer disposed in a housing, a magnetic spacer operably
coupled to the EM transducer and comprising at least a first
magnetic member, the EM transducer, the housing and magnetic spacer
forming external portions of the magnetic hearing aid, a magnetic
implant configured for placement beneath a patient's skin and
adjacent to or in a patient's skull, the magnetic implant
comprising at least a second magnetic member, the magnetic spacer
and magnetic implant together being configured such that the first
and second magnetic members are capable of holding the magnetic
hearing aid in position on the patient's skull over at least
portions of the implanted magnetic implant, and a sound acquisition
device configured to be positioned between the magnetic spacer and
the magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to the
magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound signals
generated by the EM transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired
by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound acquisition device
as the sound signals pass through the sound acquisition device into
the patient's skull.
[0007] In another embodiment, there is provided a sound acquisition
device configured for use in a sound measurement system for a
magnetic hearing aid, the system comprising an electromagnetic
("EM") transducer disposed in a housing, a magnetic spacer operably
coupled to the EM transducer and comprising at least a first
magnetic member, the EM transducer, the housing and magnetic spacer
forming external portions of the magnetic hearing aid, and a
magnetic implant configured for placement beneath a patient's skin
and adjacent to or in a patient's skull, the magnetic implant
comprising at least a second magnetic member, the magnetic spacer
and magnetic implant together being configured such that the first
and second magnetic members are capable of holding the magnetic
hearing aid in position on the patient's skull over at least
portions of the implanted magnetic implant, the sound acquisition
device being configured to be positioned between the magnetic
spacer and the magnetic implant, and to be magnetically coupled to
the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant, such that sound
signals generated by the EM transducer in the hearing aid may be
acquired by a sound sensor forming a portion of the sound
acquisition device as the sound signals pass through the sound
acquisition device into the patient's skull.
[0008] In still another embodiment, there is provided a method of
acquiring sound signals generated by an external magnetic hearing
aid configured to be coupled to a magnetic implant, the magnetic
hearing aid comprising an electromagnetic ("EM") transducer
disposed in a housing and a magnetic spacer operably coupled to the
EM transducer and comprising at least a first magnetic member, the
magnetic implant being configured for placement beneath a patient's
skin and adjacent to or in the patient's skull, the magnetic
implant comprising at least a second magnetic member, the magnetic
spacer and magnetic implant together being configured such that the
first and second magnetic members are capable of holding the
magnetic hearing aid in position on the patient's skull over at
least portions of the magnetic implant when the magnetic implant is
implanted in the patient and the magnetic hearing aid is placed
thereover, the sound acquisition device being configured to be
positioned between the magnetic spacer and the magnetic implant,
and to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic spacer and the
magnetic implant, such that sound signals generated by the EM
transducer in the hearing aid may be acquired by a sound sensor
forming a portion of the sound acquisition device as the sound
signals pass through the sound acquisition device into the
patient's skull, the method comprising acquiring the sound signals
sensed by the sound sensor, processing the acquired sound signals,
and analyzing the sound signals.
[0009] Further embodiments are disclosed herein or will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after having read and
understood the specification and drawings hereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Different aspects of the various embodiments will become
apparent from the following specification, drawings and claims in
which:
[0011] FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) show side cross-sectional
schematic views of selected embodiments of prior art SOPHONO ALPHA
1, BAHA and AUDIANT bone conduction hearing aids, respectively;
[0012] FIG. 2(a) shows one embodiment of a prior art functional
electronic and electrical block diagram of hearing aid 10 shown in
FIGS. 1(a) and 3(b);
[0013] FIG. 2(b) shows one embodiment of a prior art wiring diagram
for a SOPHONO ALPHA 1 hearing aid manufactured using an SA3286
DSP;
[0014] FIG. 3(a) shows one embodiment of prior art magnetic implant
20 according to FIG. 1(a);
[0015] FIG. 3(b) shows one embodiment of a prior art SOPHONO.RTM.
ALPHA 1.RTM. hearing aid 10;
[0016] FIG. 3(c) shows another embodiment of a prior art
SOPHONO.RTM. ALPHA.RTM. hearing aid 10;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a sound acquisition,
processing and analyzing system 400;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exploded top perspective view according to
of one embodiment of sound acquisition device 300;
[0019] FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), 6(c) and 6(d) show various views of one
embodiment of magnetic holder 233;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a partially assembled top perspective view of
sound acquisition device 300;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of sound acquisition device 300
in a fully assembled form;
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of sound acquisition
device 300 of FIG. 8, and
[0023] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a method 200 for acquiring
sound or acoustic signals associated with hearing aid 10,
processing and analyzing such signals, and then adjusting or
calibrating hearing aid 10.
[0024] The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers
refer to like parts or steps throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Described herein are various embodiments of systems,
devices, components and methods for bone conduction and/or
bone-anchored hearing aids.
[0026] A bone-anchored hearing device (or "BAHD") is an auditory
prosthetic device based on bone conduction having a portion or
portions thereof which are surgically implanted. A BAHD uses the
bones of the skull as pathways for sound to travel to a patient's
inner ear. For people with conductive hearing loss, a BAHD bypasses
the external auditory canal and middle ear, and stimulates the
still-functioning cochlea via an implanted metal post. For patients
with unilateral hearing loss, a BAHD uses the skull to conduct the
sound from the deaf side to the side with the functioning cochlea.
In most BAHA systems, a titanium post or plate is surgically
embedded into the skull with a small abutment extending through and
exposed outside the patient's skin. A BAHD sound processor attaches
to the abutment and transmits sound vibrations through the external
abutment to the implant. The implant vibrates the skull and inner
ear, which stimulates the nerve fibers of the inner ear, allowing
hearing. A BAHD device can also be connected to an FM system or
iPod by means of attaching a miniaturized FM receiver or Bluetooth
connection thereto.
[0027] BAHD devices manufactured by COCHLEAR.TM. of Sydney,
Australia, and OTICON.TM. of Smoerum, Denmark. SOPHONO.TM. of
Boulder, Colo. manufactures an Alpha 1 magnetic hearing aid device,
which attaches by magnetic means behind a patient's ear to the
patient's skull by coupling to a magnetic or magnetized bone plate
(or "magnetic implant") implanted in the patient's skull beneath
the skin.
[0028] Surgical procedures for implanting such posts or plates are
relatively straightforward, and are well known to those skilled in
the art. See, for example, "Alpha I (S) & Alpha I (M) Physician
Manual--REV A S0300-00" published by Sophono, Inc. of Boulder,
Colo., the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
[0029] FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) show side cross-sectional
schematic views of selected embodiments of prior art SOPHONO ALPHA
1, BAHA and AUDIANT bone conduction hearing aids, respectively.
Note that FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) are not necessarily to
scale.
[0030] In FIG. 1(a), magnetic hearing aid device 10 comprises
housing 107, electromagnetic/bone conduction ("EM") transducer 25
with corresponding magnets and coils, digital signal processor
("DSP") 80, battery 95, magnetic spacer 50, magnetic implant or
magnetic implant bone plate 20. As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 2(a),
and according to one embodiment, magnetic implant 20 comprises a
frame 21 (see FIG. 3(a)) formed of a biocompatible metal such as
medical grade titanium that is configured to have disposed therein
or have attached thereto implantable magnets or magnetic members
60. Bone screws 15 secure or affix magnetic implant 20 to skull 70,
and are disposed through screw holes 23 positioned at the outward
ends of arms 22 of magnetic implant frame 21 (see FIG. 2(a)).
Magnetic members 60a and 60b are configured to couple magnetically
to one or more corresponding external magnetic members or magnets
55 mounted onto or into, or otherwise forming a portion of,
magnetic spacer 50, which in turn is operably coupled to EM
transducer 25 and metal disc 40. DSP 80 is configured to drive EM
transducer 25, metal disk 40 and magnetic spacer 50 in accordance
with external audio signals picked up by microphone 85. DSP 80 and
EM transducer 25 are powered by battery 95, which according to one
embodiment may be a zinc-air battery, or may be any other suitable
type of primary or secondary (i.e., rechargeable) electrochemical
cell such as an alkaline or lithium battery.
[0031] As further shown in FIG. 1(a), magnetic implant 20 is
attached to patient's skull 70, and is separated from magnetic
spacer 50 by patient's skin 75. Hearing aid device 10 of FIG. 1(a)
is thereby operably coupled magnetically and mechanically to plate
20 implanted in patient's skull 70, which permits the transmission
of audio signals originating in DSP 80 and EM transducer 25 to the
patient's inner ear via skull 70.
[0032] FIG. 1(b) shows another embodiment of hearing aid 10, which
is a BAHA.RTM. device comprising housing 107, EM transducer 25 with
corresponding magnets and coils, DSP 80, battery 95, external post
17, internal bone anchor 115, and abutment member 19. In one
embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1(b), internal bone anchor 115
includes a bone screw formed of a biocompatible metal such as
titanium that is configured to have disposed thereon or have
attached thereto abutment member 19, which in turn may be
configured to mate mechanically or magnetically with external post
17, which in turn is operably coupled to EM transducer 25. DSP 80
is configured to drive EM transducer 25 and external post 17 in
accordance with external audio signals picked up by microphone 85.
DSP 80 and EM transducer 25 are powered by battery 95, which
according to one embodiment is a zinc-air battery (or any other
suitable battery or electrochemical cell as described above). As
shown in FIG. 1(b), implantable bone anchor 115 is attached to
patient's skull 70, and is also attached to external post 17
through abutment member 19, either mechanically or by magnetic
means. Hearing aid device 10 of FIG. 1(b) is thus coupled
magnetically and/or mechanically to bone anchor 15 implanted in
patient's skull 70, thereby permitting the transmission of audio
signals originating in DSP 80 and EM transducer 25 to the patient's
inner ear via skull 70.
[0033] FIG. 1(c) shows another embodiment of hearing aid 10, which
is an AUDIANT.RTM.-type device, where an implantable magnetic
member 72 is attached by means of bone anchor 115 to patient's
skull 70. Internal bone anchor 115 includes a bone screw formed of
a biocompatible metal such as titanium, and has disposed thereon or
attached thereto implantable magnetic member 72, which couples
magnetically through patient's skin 75 to EM transducer 25. DSP 80
is configured to drive EM transducer 25 in accordance with external
audio signals picked up by microphone 85. Hearing aid device 10 of
FIG. 1(c) is thus coupled magnetically to bone anchor 15 implanted
in patient's skull 70, thereby permitting the transmission of audio
signals originating in DSP 80 and EM transducer 25 to the patient's
inner ear via skull 70.
[0034] FIG. 2(a) shows one embodiment of a prior art functional
electronic and electrical block diagram of hearing aid 10 shown in
FIGS. 1(a) and 2(b). In the block diagram of FIG. 2(a), and
according to one embodiment, DSP 80 is a SOUND DESIGN
TECHNOLOGIES.RTM. SA3286 INSPIRA EXTREME.RTM. DIGITAL DSP, for
which data sheet 48550-2 dated March 2009, filed on even date
herewith in an accompanying Information Disclosure Statement
("IDS"), is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. The audio processor for the SOPHONO ALPHA 1 hearing aid
is centered around DSP chip 80, which provides programmable signal
processing. The signal processing may be customized by computer
software which communicates with the Alpha through programming port
125. According to one embodiment, the system is powered by a
standard zinc air battery 95 (i.e. hearing aid battery), although
other types of batteries may be employed. The SOPHONO ALPHA 1
hearing aid detects acoustic signals using a miniature microphone
85. A second microphone 90 may also be employed, as shown in FIG.
2(a). The SA 3286 chip supports directional audio processing with
second microphone 90 to enable directional processing. Direct Audio
Input (DAI) connector 150 allows connection of accessories which
provide an audio signal in addition to or in lieu of the microphone
signal. The most common usage of the DAI connector is FM systems.
The FM receiver may be plugged into DAI connector 150. Such an FM
transmitter can be worn, for example, by a teacher in a classroom
to ensure the teacher is heard clearly by a student wearing hearing
aid 10. Other DAI accessories include an adapter for a music
player, a telecoil, or a Bluetooth phone accessory. According to
one embodiment, DSP 80 or SA 3286 has 4 available program memories,
allowing a hearing health professional to customize each of 4
programs for different listening situations. The Memory Select
Pushbutton 145 allows the user to choose from the activated
memories. This might include special frequency adjustments for
noisy situations, or a program which is Directional, or a program
which uses the DAI input.
[0035] FIG. 2(b) shows one embodiment of a prior art wiring diagram
for a SOPHONO ALPHA 1 hearing aid manufactured using the foregoing
SA3286 DSP. Note that the various embodiments of hearing aid 10 are
not limited to the use of a SA3286 DSP, and that any other suitable
CPU, processor, controller or computing device may be used.
According to one embodiment, DSP 80 is mounted on a printed circuit
board 155 disposed within housing 107 of hearing aid 10.
[0036] In some embodiments, the microphone incorporated into
hearing aid 10 is an 8010T microphone manufactured by SONION.RTM.,
for which data sheet 3800-3016007, Version 1 dated December, 2007,
filed on even date herewith in the accompanying IDS, is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Other suitable
types of microphones, including other types of capacitive
microphones, may be employed.
[0037] In still further embodiments, the electromagnetic transducer
25 incorporated into hearing aid 10 is a VKH3391W transducer
manufactured by BMH-Tech.RTM. of Austria, for which the data sheet
filed on even date herewith in the accompanying IDS is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Other types of
suitable EM or other types of transducers may also be used.
[0038] FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) show implantable bone plate or
magnetic implant 20 in accordance with FIG. 1(a), where frame 22
has disposed thereon or therein magnetic members 60a and 60b, and
where magnetic spacer 50 of hearing aid 10 has magnetic members 55a
and 55b spacer disposed therein. The two magnets 60a and 60b of
magnetic implant 20 of FIG. 2(a) permit hearing aid 10 and magnetic
spacer 50 to be placed in a single position on patient's skull 70,
with respective opposing north and south poles of magnetic members
55a, 60a, 55b and 60b appropriately aligned with respect to one
another to permit a sufficient degree of magnetic coupling to be
achieved between magnetic spacer 50 and magnetic implant 20 (see
FIG. 3(b)). As shown in FIG. 1(a), magnetic implant 20 is
preferably configured to be affixed to skull 70 under patient's
skin 75. In one aspect, affixation of magnetic implant 20 to skull
75 is by direct means, such as by screws 15. Other means of
attachment known to those skilled in the art are also contemplated,
however, such as glue, epoxy, and sutures.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3(b), there is shown a SOPHONO.RTM.
ALPHA 1.RTM. hearing aid 10 configured to operate in accordance
with magnetic implant 20 of FIG. 3(a). As shown, hearing aid 10 of
FIG. 3(b) comprises upper housing 111, lower housing 115, magnetic
spacer 50, external magnets 55a and 55b disposed within spacer 50,
EM transducer diaphragm 45, metal disk 40 connecting EM transducer
25 to spacer 50, programming port/socket 125, program switch 145,
and microphone 85. Not shown in FIG. 3(b) are other aspects of the
embodiment of hearing aid 10, such as volume control 120, battery
compartment 130, battery door 135, battery contacts 140, direct
audio input (DAI) 150, and hearing aid circuit board 155 upon which
various components are mounted, such as DSP 80.
[0040] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), frame 22 of
magnetic implant 20 holds a pair of magnets 60a and 60b that
correspond to magnets 55a and 55b included in spacer 50 shown in
FIG. 3(b). The south (S) pole and north (N) poles of magnets 55a
and 55b, are respectively configured in spacer 50 such that the
south pole of magnet 55a is intended to overlie and magnetically
couple to the north pole of magnet 60a, and such that the north
pole of magnet 55b is intended to overlie and magnetically couple
to the south pole of magnet 60b. This arrangement and configuration
of magnets 55a, 55b, 60a and 60b is intended permit the magnetic
forces required to hold hearing aid 10 onto a patient's head to be
spread out or dispersed over a relatively wide surface area of the
patient's hair and/or skin 75, and thereby prevent irritation of
soreness that might otherwise occur if such magnetic forces were
spread out over a smaller or more narrow surface area. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 3(a), frame 22 and magnetic implant 20 are
configured for affixation to patient's skull 70 by means of screws
15, which are placed through screw recesses or holes 23. FIG. 3(c)
shows an embodiment of hearing aid 10 configured to operate in
conjunction with a single magnet 60 disposed in magnetic implant 20
per FIG. 1(a).
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 9, there are shown various
embodiments and views of sound acquisition device 300.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of
sound acquisition device 300 operably coupled to hearing aid 10 and
disposed thereabove, and magnetic implant 20 disposed beneath
patient's skin 75 and attached to patient's skull 70 therebelow,
where sound acquisition device 300, magnetic implant 20, hearing
aid 10 (which includes magnetic spacer 50), and processing and
analyzing means 350 together comprise sound acquisition, processing
and analyzing system 400.
[0043] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, and in one embodiment,
hearing aid 10, sound acquisition device 300, and magnetic implant
20 together comprise portions of sound acquisition, processing and
analyzing system 400. Electromagnetic ("EM") transducer 25 is
disposed in housing 107 of hearing aid 10, and magnetic spacer 50
is operably coupled to EM transducer 25 and comprises magnetic
members 50a and 50b, or any other suitable configuration of magnets
(as for example discussed above or in the above-referenced the '057
and '934 patent applications). As described above, housing 107 and
magnetic spacer 50 form external portions of magnetic hearing aid
10.
[0044] In the embodiment of system 400 shown in FIG. 4, magnetic
implant 20 is configured for placement beneath patient's skin 75
and adjacent to or in a patient's skull 70. Magnetic implant 20
comprises magnetic members 60a and 60b, or any other suitable
configuration of magnets (as for example discussed above or in the
above-referenced the '057 and '934 patent applications). Magnetic
spacer 50 and magnetic implant 20 are together configured such that
magnetic members 50a, 50b, 60a and 60b are capable of holding
magnetic hearing aid 10 in position on patient's skull 70 over at
least portions of implanted magnetic implant 20.
[0045] System 400 of FIG. 4 further comprises sound acquisition
device 300 configured to be positioned between magnetic spacer 50
and magnetic implant 20, and to be magnetically coupled both to
magnetic spacer 50 and to magnetic implant 20 via magnetic members
250a, 250b, 251a and 251b. Sounds generated by EM transducer 25 in
hearing aid 10 are acquired using sound sensor 257 forming a
portion of sound acquisition device 300 (see, e.g., sound sensor
257 in FIGS. 5 and 7) as the sounds pass through sound acquisition
device 300 into patient's skull 70.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an exploded top
perspective view according to of one embodiment of sound
acquisition device 300. As shown in the FIG. 5, sound acquisition
device 300 comprises top plate 250, magnetic holder 233,
surrounding seal 237, and bottom plate 203. Top plate 250 and post
260 are configured to fit matingly below and against bottom
corresponding portions of overlying magnetic spacer 50. Top plate
250, magnetic holder 233, and magnetic members 250a and 250b
together comprise upper portion 270 of sound acquisition device
300. Top plate 250 may be incorporated into or onto magnetic holder
233 such that magnetic holder 233, magnetic members 250a and 250b,
and top plate 250 form a single integral, molded or glued-together
module.
[0047] In FIG. 5, magnetic members 250a and 250b are configured to
be disposed within corresponding recesses 235a and 235b of magnetic
holder 233. Many different numbers, variations, combinations and
configurations of magnetic members 250 may be employed in sound
acquisition device 300, as described above, and as those skilled in
the art will appreciate after having read and understood the
present specification. Magnetic members 251a and 251b are
configured to be disposed in recesses 205 and 207 of bottom plate
203.
[0048] According to one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, seal
237 is disposed between the upper and lower portions of sound
acquisition device 300, where upper portion 270 of sound
acquisition device 300 is attached to top portions of seal 237, and
lower portion 280 of sound acquisition device 300 is attached to
bottom portions of seal 237. Such attachments to surrounding seal
237 may be made by any one of suitable mechanical attachments means
known to those skilled in the art, such as by using a suitable
adhesive, silicone, screws, nuts and bolts, or the like. In some
embodiments, seal 237 is formed of a pliable, compressible,
resilient material such as silicone, rubber, an elastomer or
similar material, and forms a seal protecting interior portions of
sound acquisition device 300 from the ingress of ambient humidity,
oils, water, chemicals, and so on. In one embodiment, and as shown
in FIG. 5, bottom plate 203, sound sensor 257, magnetic members
251a and 251b, and seal 237 together comprise lower portion 280 of
sound acquisition device 300.
[0049] In one embodiment, magnetic spacer 50 and sound acquisition
device 300 are together configured to be magnetically coupled to
one another via magnetic members 50a and 50b and corresponding
magnetic members 250a, 250b, 250c and 250d, and magnetic implant 20
and sound acquisition device 300 are together configured to be
magnetically coupled to one another via magnetic members 251a and
251b and corresponding magnetic members 60a and 60b.
[0050] In one embodiment, magnetic members 250a and 250b and
magnetic members 251a and 251b of sound acquisition device 300 have
suitable magnetic strengths and magnetic pole arrangements and
positioning such that magnetic holder 233 may be magnetically
coupled to and held in an operable position with respect to
underlying bottom plate 203. In still further embodiments, magnetic
members 250a and 250b and magnetic members 251a and 251b of sound
acquisition device 300 are not configured to magnetically couple to
one another, and upper and lower portions 270 and 280 are
mechanically held together by adhesives, screws, bolts and nuts, or
the like.
[0051] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, there is also shown sound
sensor 257, which is configured to be disposed atop central post or
support 209, and sandwiched between central post or support 209 and
underside 239 of magnetic holder 233 in an operable position, more
about which is said below. In one embodiment, sound sensor 257 is
glued to central post or support 209. According to some
embodiments, sound sensor 257 is a piezoelectric sensor configured
to convert sounds incident thereon and passing therethrough into
corresponding electrical output signals. Other types of sound
sensors may also be employed in sound acquisition device 300, as
those skilled in the art will appreciate after having read and
understood the present specification, such as membranes,
diaphragms, accelerometers, velocity sensors, electromagnetic
spring, coil and magnet sensors, and so on. Positive and negative
connections are shown schematically in FIG. 5 as being attached to
piezoelectric sensor 257, where such connections are used to route
output signals from sensor 257 to an external device such as a
processing and analyzing means 350 capable of receiving,
processing, storing and/or analyzing the received output
signals.
[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), 6(c) and 6(d), there are
shown top, side, side perspective, and end views according to one
embodiment of magnetic holder 233. As particularly shown in FIG.
6(b), magnetic holder 233 comprises a curved acoustic sensor
bending surface 239, which is configured and shaped to bend a first
or top surface of piezoelectric sensor 257 along a curved surface
defined by acoustic sensor bending surface 239 when sensor 257 is
positioned operably between surface 239 and post 209, with its
second or bottom surface engaging central support or post 209. The
resulting bent or curved configuration of piezoelectric sensor 257
along curved surface 239 results in significantly enhanced and
heightened sensitivity of piezoelectric sensor 257 to sounds being
incident thereon and passing therethrough. Such enhanced and
heightened sensitivity and increased response to incident sound
waves results at least partially because piezoelectric sensor 257
is positioned and held in a pre-stressed state by curved surface
239. In one embodiment, curved acoustic surface 239 has a radius
ranging between about 6 inches and about 8 inches. Other radii are
contemplated, however, where the particular radius selected depends
on factors such on the diameter D of piezoelectric sensor (see FIG.
7), the performance characteristics of the piezoelectric sensor
that is to be selected, and the thickness t of the piezoelectric
sensor (see FIG. 7). In one embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and
7, piezoelectric sensor 257 is disk-shaped or circular-shaped and
has a diameter ranging between about ______ inches and about ______
inches. In other embodiments, piezoelectric sensor 257 has an
elliptical, rectangular, square or other shape. According to some
embodiments, piezoelectric sensor 257 has a thickness t ranging
between about ______ inches and about ______ inches. One example of
a suitable piezoelectric sensor 257 is an RoHS-compliant
piezoelectric sensor manufactured by ______ (company name) of
______ (city, state) having Part No. BPE20B-6.5.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows a partially assembled top perspective view of
sound acquisition device 300. Top plate 250 has been joined with
and mated to underlying magnetic holder 233, and magnet members
250a and 250c have been inserted within magnetic holder 233, to
form upper portion 270 of sound acquisition device 300.
Piezoelectric sensor 257, and magnetic members 251a and 251b remain
yet to be inserted in bottom plate 203, while seal 237 has been
attached to bottom plate 203. Seal 237, magnetic members 251a and
251b, piezoelectric sensor 257, and bottom plate 203 together
comprise lower portion 280 of sound acquisition device 300.
[0054] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of sound acquisition device 300
in a fully assembled form, where upper and lower portions 270 and
280 have been joined together to form a single device. Unit, module
or device 300 may then be positioned between hearing 10 and
magnetic implant 20, and provides direct measurements of the sounds
transmitted by hearing aid 10 into the patient's skull 70.
[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, seal 237 and upper and
lower portions 270 and 280 of sound acquisition device 300 may also
be configured so that upper portion 270 may be removed by a user
from lower portion 280 and so that sound sensor 257 disposed
therewithin may be adjusted or replaced with a sound sensor having
different operating and physical characteristics (e.g., higher or
lower sensitivity, greater or lesser diameter D, or greater or
lesser thickness t--See FIG. 7). FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional
view of fully-assembled sound acquisition device 300 of FIG. 8. As
shown, adhesive or silicone 215a and 215b, or any other suitable
mechanical attachment means, connects seal 257 to top portion 270
and to bottom portion 280.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 10, one embodiment of sound
acquisition, processing and analyzing system 400 comprises hearing
aid 10 (which includes magnetic spacer 50), sound acquisition
device 300, magnetic implant 20, where hearing aid 10, sound
acquisition device 300, and magnetic implant 20 are all operably
and magnetically coupled to one another, as well as to the
patient's skull 70, and sound processing and analyzing system 350.
Sounds or acoustic signals generated by piezoelectric sensor 257 in
sound acquisition device 300 while transducer 25 of hearing aid 10
is generating output signals to be heard by a patient are
transferred via connection 307 to amplifier 330, ND interface 320,
and computer 310. (Note that any one or more of amplifier 330, A/D
interface 320, and D/A interface 340 shown in FIG. 4 may be
included in or form a portion of computer 310.) Electrical signals
generated by sensor 257 in response to sounds generated by
transducer 25 being incident thereon or passing therethrough are
sent to system 350 for processing and analysis. Such transfer may
be accomplished using hard-wiring, or by wireless means, including
but not limited to, Bluetooth means. In a wireless embodiment,
sound acquisition device can be configured to include, for example,
Bluetooth transmitters and/or receivers. Amplifier 330 in system
350 may or may not be required, depending on the amplitude of the
output signals provided by sensor 257. Amplifier 330 may also be
included in or form a portion of sound acquisition device 300.
[0057] Once data corresponding to sounds acquired by sound
acquisition device 300 have been stored in a memory or other
storage device of computer 310, such data may be processed and
analyzed in computer 310 to yield various types of information
regarding the acquired sound signals, such as their frequency,
amplitude and phase characteristics using, for example, well known
FFT and other digital signal processing techniques applied to the
acquired acoustic signals. Spectral and other characteristics of
the processed sound signals can be employed to determine, by way of
non-limiting example, whether hearing aid 10 is coupled
sufficiently or insufficiently to patient's skull 70, whether sound
signals generated by hearing aid 10 have sufficient amplitude to be
heard by the patient, or whether ambient acoustic noise should or
should be reduced using a notch or other type of filter. Many other
problems with hearing aid 10, magnetic implant 20, and/or the
patient can thus be discovered and diagnosed through the use of
sound acquisition device 300 and data processing and analyzing
system 350.
[0058] As further shown in FIG. 4, computer 310 may also be
operably connected to hearing aid 10 through D/A interface 340, and
may be programmed and configured to generate electrical signals to
drive EM transducer 25 in hearing aid 10 in accordance with desired
operating parameters. Computer 310 may further be operably
connected to hearing aid 10 through programming port 125 (see,
e.g., FIG. 2(a) to program or re-program hearing aid 10 in
accordance with the results of analysis of sounds acquired using
sound acquisition device 300. Connection 309 between D/A interface
340 and hearing aid 10, and/or between computer 310 and hearing aid
10, may be provided by hard-wiring, or by wireless means, including
but not limited to Bluetooth means. In one embodiment, connection
309 may be established with hearing aid 109 via programming port
125 or another suitable port on hearing aid 10. Processing and
analyzing system 350 and/or computer 310 may thus be programmed to
provide means for adjusting the output or response of hearing aid
10 and EM transducer. Such output or response adjustment of hearing
aid 10 may include one or more of adjusting or calibrating the
amplitude, frequency, or phase response of hearing aid 10 to
ambient acoustic signals detected thereby, and/or to adjust the
amplitude, frequency, or phase transfer functions of EM transducer
25.
[0059] In addition, processing and analyzing system 350 and/or
computer 310 may further comprise one or more of a mobile
electronic device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, and a notebook computer. In one embodiment, a mobile
electronic device or mobile phone is operably connected or
connectable to processing and analyzing system 350 and/or computer
310 and is configured to display information regarding at least one
of the output, response, calibration and adjustment of the hearing
aid. Thus, a mobile electronic device or mobile smartphone can be
employed by a patient or a health care provider to monitor the
performance of hearing aid 10.
[0060] Moreover, sounds or acoustic signals acquired using sound
acquisition device 300 may be processed and analyzed using a mobile
electronic device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, a notebook computer, a local server, a remote server, or
the cloud. Results obtained by processing and analyzing the
acquired sounds or acoustic signals may be visually displayed in
any of a number of ways known to those skilled in the art, such as
by displaying the results on a computer monitor or display, the
screen of a mobile electronic device, mobile phone or smartphone, a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a notebook computer.
[0061] Electrical signals representative of sounds or acoustic
signals acquired by sound acquisition device 300 may be transferred
to computer 310 or other device while hearing aid 10 is
magnetically coupled to sound acquisition device 300, and while
sound acquisition device 300 is magnetically coupled to magnetic
implant 20, where magnetic implant 20 is implanted in or on a
patient's skull. Alternatively, such acquired signals from sound
acquisition device 300 may be transferred to computer 310 or other
device while hearing aid 10 is magnetically coupled to sound
acquisition device 300, and sound acquisition device 300 is
magnetically coupled to magnetic implant 20, where magnetic implant
20 is implanted in or on a test fixture so as to measure the
performance of hearing aid 10 under calibrated and known magnetic
and mechanical coupling and resonance conditions.
[0062] Depending on the results provided by the processed and
analyzed sounds or acoustic signals, sound control or calibration
signals may be generated in computer 310 and provided to magnetic
hearing aid 10 such that EM transducer 25 is driven in accordance
with the desired or predetermined sound control or calibration
signals. Such predetermined sound control or calibration signals
may be stored or generated in computer 310, or stored or generated
in a mobile electronic device, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a
desktop computer, a notebook computer, a local server, a remote
server, or the cloud, and then made available for use in
calibrating or driving hearing aid 10. As mentioned above, a
frequency response of hearing aid 10 and/or transfer functions of
EM transducer 25 may be determined by computer 310 using the
acquired sounds, as may amplitude and phase responses. In response
to determining and analyzing such frequency, amplitude or phase
responses of hearing aid 10 and/or transfer functions of EM
transducer 25, computer 310 or other device (as described above)
may be programmed to adjust or change any one or more of such
responses, or may further be programmed to program or re-program
parameters in hearing aid 10 in accordance with results provided by
the analyzed sounds or acoustic signals.
[0063] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a method 200 for acquiring
sound or acoustic signals using sound acquisition device 300 in
conjunction with magnetic hearing aid 10, magnetic implant 20 (or a
test magnetic implant fixture corresponding thereto), and
processing and analysis system 350, analyzing such sounds in
computer 310, and then adjusting or calibrating hearing aid 10 in
accordance with the results of the analysis provided using
processing and analysis system 350. At step 202, sound acquisition
device 300 is placed in an operable position over magnetic implant
20. At step 204, hearing aid 10 and corresponding transducer 25 are
placed in an operable position over sound acquisition device 300.
At step 206, ambient sound signals are provided or permitted to be
provided to hearing aid 10, or alternatively, predetermined drive
signals are provided to transducer 25. At step 208, signals sensed
by one or more sensors 257 disposed in or on sound acquisition
device 300 are acquired, and then recorded and/or stored in
computer 310. At step 210, hearing aid 10 is adjusted or calibrated
on the basis of the results provided by processing and analyzing
sound signals acquired using sound acquisition device 300 and/or on
the basis of patient feedback. Steps 206 through 210 may be
repeated as required or desirable. One or more of steps 202 through
210 may be carried out in an order different from that shown in
FIG. 10. In method 200, some steps of FIG. 10 may not be carried
out, and other steps not specified explicitly herein may be added,
as those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate after
having read and understood the present specification.
[0064] Any one or more of hearing aid 10, sound acquisition device
300, processing and analyzing system 350, computer 310, and the
various other computing and/or mobile electronic devices described
herein may include one or more computer memories. Such memories may
be implemented internally or externally with respect to associated
CPUs, controllers, microcontrollers, ASICS, or
processors/microcontroller 400. The memories may include one or
more of a read-only memory ("ROM"), a random access memory ("RAM"),
an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory ("EEPROM"),
a FLASH memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or another suitable
magnetic, optical, physical, or electronic memory device. In some
embodiments, the memory may include a double data rate (DDR2)
synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) for storing data
relating to and captured during operation of sound acquisition
device 300. In some embodiments, the memory may include a memory
card slot for receiving an external memory card, for example a card
slot that is configured to receive a secure digital (SD) multimedia
card (MMC) or a MicroSD card. These card slots may be used to
transfer data between sound acquisition device 300 and external
devices. Of course, other types of data storage devices may be used
in place of the data storage devices discussed herein.
[0065] The memories described above may be configured to store
programming instructions (or software code) therein, which can be
executed by an associated processor to perform certain tasks. For
example, in some embodiments, a software application stored on
computer 310 or in a mobile computing device may be stored in a
memory, or at least partially stored in the memory. The associated
processor is configured to execute the software application.
[0066] Other examples of software that may be stored in the
above-described memories may include, but are not limited to,
firmware, one or more applications, program data, one or more
program modules, and other executable instructions. Again, the
processor associated with the memory is configured to retrieve from
the memory and execute, among other things, instructions related to
the processing, control and analysis processes and methods
described in the present disclosure.
[0067] Hearing aid 10, sound acquisition device 300, processing and
analyzing system 350, and any of the computing devices described
above may include one or more communications ports for wired
communication. In various embodiments, these communications ports
may include, but are not limited to, universal serial bus (USB)
ports, microUSB ports, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
ports, FireWire ports, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) ports,
universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) ports, etc.
[0068] Although not specifically illustrated, hearing aid 10, sound
acquisition device 300, processing and analyzing system 350, and
any of the computing devices described above may also include
input/output ("I/O") systems that include routines for transferring
information between components within their associated processors
and other components of system 400.
[0069] In some embodiments, and referring to FIG. 10, one or more
of steps 202 through 210 are performed by a software application or
program. The software application may be installed on computer 310,
or on any of the computing devices described above that
communicatively coupled to hearing aid 10 and/or sound acquisition
device 300. In some embodiments, software applications may be
offered for download and installation on a local device such as a
mobile computing device.
[0070] In some embodiments, one or more of the steps 202-210 are
performed by a mobile or other computing device communicatively
coupled to hearing aid 10 and/or sound acquisition device 300. In
other embodiments, one or more of the steps 202-210 are performed
by computer 310 communicatively coupled to hearing aid 10 and/or
sound acquisition device 300. In some embodiments, processing and
analyzing system 350, computer 310, or a portable or other
electronic device includes a first transceiver configured to
perform the receiving of data under a first communications
protocol, a processor configured to perform repackaging of the
data, and a second transceiver configured to send data under a
second communications protocol.
[0071] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure, hearing aid 10, sound acquisition system 300,
processing and analyzing system 350, computer 310 or any of the
portable or other computing devices described herein such as a
mobile communications device and/or a network server, may include a
bus component or other communication mechanisms for communicating
information, which interconnects subsystems and components, such as
a processing component (e.g., a processor, micro-controller,
digital signal processor (DSP), etc.), a system memory component
(e.g., RAM), a static storage component (e.g., ROM), a disk drive
component (e.g., magnetic or optical), a network interface
component (e.g., modem or Ethernet card), a display component
(e.g., cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD) or
light emitting diode (LED) display), an input component (e.g., a
keyboard, mouse or touch screen), a cursor control component (e.g.,
a mouse or trackball), and an image capture component (e.g., an
analog or digital camera). In one implementation, a disk drive
component may comprise a database having one or more disk drive
components.
[0072] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure, processing and analyzing system 350, computer 310, and
any of the other computing devices described herein may be
configured to perform specific operations by an associated
processor executing one or more sequences of one or more
instructions contained in a system memory component. Such
instructions may be read into the system memory component from
another computer readable medium, such as a static storage
component or disk drive component. In other embodiments, hard-wired
circuitry may be used in place of (or in combination with) software
instructions to implement the present disclosure.
[0073] Logic may be encoded in a computer readable medium, which
may refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions
to a processor for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,
including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile
media. In one embodiment, the computer readable medium is
non-transitory. In various implementations, non-volatile media
includes optical or magnetic disks, such as a disk drive component
and volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as a system memory
component. In one aspect, data and information related to execution
instructions may be transmitted to one or more of the computing
means described herein via a transmission medium, such as in the
form of acoustic or light waves, including those generated during
radio wave and infrared data communications. In various
implementations, transmission media may include coaxial cables,
copper wire, and fiber optics, including wires that are employed in
a bus.
[0074] Some common forms of computer readable media include, for
example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes,
any other magnetic medium, CD-ROMs, any other optical medium, punch
cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of
holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or
cartridge, carrier wave, or any other medium a computing means is
adapted to read.
[0075] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, execution
of instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure may be
performed by the computing means described herein. In various other
embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of computing
means or computer systems coupled by one or more communication
links (e.g., a communications network, such as a LAN, WLAN, PTSN,
and/or various other wired or wireless network, including
telecommunications, mobile, and cellular phone networks) may
perform instruction sequences to practice the present disclosure in
coordination with one another.
[0076] The various computing means described herein may be
configured to transmit and receive messages, data, information and
instructions, including one or more programs (i.e., application
code) through one or more communication links and/or communication
interfaces. The received program code may be executed by a
processor as received and/or stored in disk drive or other memory
component, or some other non-volatile storage component for
execution.
[0077] Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the
present disclosure may be implemented using hardware, software, or
combinations of hardware and software. Also, where applicable, the
various hardware components and/or software components set forth
herein may be combined into composite components comprising
software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the spirit
of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the various hardware
components and/or software components set forth herein may be
separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or
both without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software
components may be implemented as hardware components and
vice-versa.
[0078] Software, in accordance with the present disclosure, such as
computer program code and/or data, may be stored on one or more
computer readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software
identified herein may be implemented using one or more general
purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems,
networked and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of
various steps described herein may be changed, combined into
composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide
features described herein.
[0079] The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments
so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed
description set forth herein. Those skilled in the art will now
understand that many different permutations, combinations and
variations of sound acquisition device 300, hearing aid 10,
magnetic implant 20, processing and analyzing system 350, computer
310, and any of the various computing or portable electronic or
communication devices disclosed herein fall within the scope of the
various embodiments. Those skilled in the art should appreciate
that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for
designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying
out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the
embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also
realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make
various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0080] For example, wireless transmitting and/or receiving means
may be attached to or form a portion of sound acquisition device
300, and such wireless means may be implemented using Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, or cellular means. Sensor 257 may be incorporated into
hearing aid 10. Hearing aid 10 and/or sound acquisition device 300
may be configured to serve as a device that records and stores
sound or acoustic signals detected by sensor 257 while hearing aid
10 is being worn by a patient. Such signals may be recorded and
stored according to a predetermined schedule or continuously, and
may be recorded and stored over brief periods of time (e.g.,
minutes) or over long periods of time (e.g., hours, days, weeks or
months). Such stored signals may be retrieved and uploaded at a
later point in time for subsequent analysis, and can, for example,
be employed to determine optimal coupling, electronic, drive, sound
reception or other parameters of hearing aid 10 and/or sound
acquisition device 300. Sound acquisition device 300 may also be
incorporated directly into hearing aid 10 to provide a test,
evaluation or trial hearing aid 10. Accelerometers or other devices
may be included in hearing aid 10 and/or sound acquisition device
300 so that posture, positions and changes in position of hearing
aid 10 may be detected and stored. Moreover, the above-described
embodiments should be considered as examples, rather than as
limiting the scopes thereof.
[0081] After having read and understood the present specification,
those skilled in the art will now understand and appreciate that
the various embodiments described herein provide solutions to
long-standing problems in the use of hearing aids, such as an
inability to monitor or determine what a patient is actually
hearing, or what the characteristics of the sound signals being
generated by a hearing aid actually are.
* * * * *